Kelly Jackson is the Executive Director of the SLC3! She needs very little introduction, as you likely know her already, but, in case you don’t, keep reading to learn a bit more about her and her background!

Q: Where did you grow up?

  • A: In a small brick house in South St. Louis called the Village of Mackenzie. I went to Affton K-12 to answer the St. Louis question and graduated in 1991.

Q: What brought you to work in the AEC Industry? 

  • A: I worked for a company that developed and managed surgery centers throughout the US in 1999 and then joined NPN Environmental Engineers in 2000. I was also fascinated by the building of a cancer center at the surgery center on Ballas. I worked for the owner of the building and was privy to the process which I thought was really interesting. Did you work in a different industry prior?  Before joining SLC3 as the Executive Director I worked in Marketing and Business Development since ’99. I had most recently run my own marketing, design, and web agency since 2011 serving many AEC clients locally and nationally.

Q: What’s your favorite part about your position?

  • A: People will always be my answer. I genuinely love to work with lots of people. But I also love making a difference where it matters. I know we make a difference in what we do which is why I wanted to be a part of it and lead us to be as impactful as we could be.

Q: What is your proudest moment(s) from your career?

  • A: I am proud of so many moments, but there is nothing like having your own business. I truly loved serving my clients and helping them be successful and make their businesses better in some way. I am a problem solver and love a challenge and served over 180 clients in eight years with a very small team. This leads me to a very close match which of course is becoming the first woman to lead the SLC3. The organization has changed a lot and grown tremendously. I am so proud of those accomplishments. I also have to shout out to SMPS as it was so important to me for so many years as a Past President and Board member. I wouldn’t be me without them.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Any special hobbies?

  • A: I have had lots of hobbies that require much more physical activity like rollerblading, tennis, or racquetball. But, I am limited physically after some health issues. So I make the most out of time with friends, and family, movie watching, attending concerts and musicals, and of course, I love traveling.  I am a designer so I am also obsessed with the Design Home app.  I think my calling was really an interior designer.

Q: What’s something that most people don’t know about you?

  • A: I won’t eat biscuits and gravy. It’s gross. I know this might shock all who love this nasty food, especially since I was raised very southern. My parents moved here from Texas.

Q: What, if anything, are you currently watching, reading, listening to, etc.? Any recommendations?

  • A: I read every day. I listen to music every day and I never miss the local news. Currently, I am reading Generations and G.R.I.T. Tenacity. I highly recommend both. I am in love with the Masked Singer. It’s funny and entertaining and I love music.

Q: What advice do you have for emerging leaders in our industry?

  • A: Be strategic and be intentional. Take advantage of the opportunities for growth and learning. Learn from those you admire. You will be happier in your path if you are equipped with the tools you need and have made the right connections along the way. Never underestimate the importance of every connection you make and spend the time to make them. And by all means, don’t burn bridges EVER, and always take the high road.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn if you haven’t already! And, connect & follow SLC3’s page too so you always see what we’re up to!